Ken Follett, or perhaps Martin Martinsen or Zachary Stone? In his early days, Follett often used pseudonyms, perhaps out of fear of potential failure. That failure never came, however, and today he is one of the most successful European authors of our time.
He was born in Wales and moved to London with his parents at the age of ten, where his love of literature deepened, thanks in large part to the Kenton Library and the fact that young Ken could visit not only the children’s section but also explore the world as described by authors targeting adult audiences. In his early work, Follett leaned toward fiction; he didn’t turn to the thriller genre until later. He studied philosophy at University College London and, after graduation, like many other great authors, worked as a journalist.
Suspense, detail, and strong characters—three tools with which Follett repeatedly captivates his readers. Even his early work in the thriller genre, *Eye of the Needle*, was a success, and it wasn’t long before the story was adapted for the screen. Later, Ken expanded his genre portfolio to include historical novels, which are prized for their historical accuracy and the development of their characters. In his early work, when he focused primarily on thrillers, his signature style is one of constant tension and a gripping plot. Later, when writing novels, he adapted this trait, and in his lengthy novels he is able not only to build tension but also to sustain it throughout. Even 900-page novels have the pace of a thriller, which keeps the reader hooked and often makes it hard to put the book down. In his works, Follett likes to pr